Asymmetrically Substituted s-Triazine Phosphonates by One-Step Synthesis.

Asymmetrically substituted s-triazine phosphonates with up to three different phosphonate groups C3 N3 RR'R" with R, R', R"=PO(OR"') and R"'=for example, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or n-butyl are interesting as polymer additives like flame retardants. Typically, these compounds are obtained by multiple synthesis steps. However, this leads to high production costs, which are a disadvantage for commercial use. Here we report the one-step synthesis of mixtures of asymmetrical s-triazine phosphonates which is an easy way to adjust the thermal behaviour and other properties such as viscosities of the compounds. The synthesis is based on a Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction. A complete conversion of the reactants to the target compounds is observed which was proofed by detailed 1 H, 13 C and 31 P NMR investigations and elemental analysis. The thermal behaviour was compared with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

A Non-Hydrolytic Sol-Gel Route to Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Polymers: Linearly Expanded Silica and Silsesquioxanes.

Condensation reactions of chlorosilanes (SiCl4 and CH3SiCl3) and bis(trimethylsilyl)ethers of rigid, quasi-linear diols (CH3)3SiO-AR-OSi(CH3)3 (AR = 4,4'-biphenylene (1) and 2,6-naphthylene (2)), with release of (CH3)3SiCl as a volatile byproduct, afforded novel hybrid materials that feature Si-O-C bridges. The precursors 1 and 2 were characterized using FTIR and multinuclear (1H, 13C, 29Si) NMR spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis in case of 2. Pyridine-catalyzed and non-catalyzed transformations were performed in THF at room temperature and at 60 °C. In most cases, soluble oligomers were obtained. The progress of these transsilylations was monitored in solution with 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Pyridine-catalyzed reactions with CH3SiCl3 proceeded until complete substitution of all chlorine atoms; however, no gelation or precipitation was found. In case of pyridine-catalyzed reactions of 1 and 2 with SiCl4, a Sol-Gel transition was observed. Ageing and syneresis yielded xerogels 1A and 2A, which exhibited large linear shrinkage of 57-59% and consequently low BET surface area of 10 m2⋅g-1. The xerogels were analyzed using powder-XRD, solid state 29Si NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM/EDX, elemental analysis, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The SiCl4-derived amorphous xerogels consist of hydrolytically sensitive three-dimensional networks of SiO4-units linked by the arylene groups. The non-hydrolytic approach to hybrid materials may be applied to other silylated precursors, if the reactivity of the corresponding chlorine compound is sufficient.

Disilanes with Pentacoordinate Si Atoms by Carbon Dioxide Insertion into Aminodisilanes: Syntheses, Molecular Structures, and Dynamic Behavior.

The insertion of carbon dioxide into the Si-N bonds of aminodisilanes ((RR'N) n Me3-n Si)2 affords carbamoyloxydisilanes ((RR'NC(O)O) n Me3-n Si)2. Some of the obtained insertion products feature pentacoordinate silicon atoms in the solid state and in solution, with two carbamoyloxy moieties bridging the Si-Si bond. The aminodisilanes and their insertion products were extensively analyzed, including single-crystal X-ray structure analyses. The temperature dependence of the higher coordination was investigated using variable temperature NMR experiments.

State of the Art in the Preparation and Properties of Molecular Monomeric s-Heptazines: Syntheses, Characteristics, and Functional Applications.

This review gives an account on the fast expanding field of monomeric (or molecular) heptazines, at the exclusion of their various polymeric forms, often referred to as carbon nitrides. While examples of monomeric heptazines were extremely limited until the beginning of this century, the field has started expanding quickly since then, as has the number of reports on polymeric materials, though previous reviews did not separate these fields. We provide here a detailed report on the synthetic procedures for molecular heptazines. We also extensively report on the different achievements realized from these new molecules, in the fields of physical chemistry, spectroscopy, materials preparation, (photo)catalysis, and devices. After a comprehensive summary and discussion on heptazines syntheses and characteristics, we show that starting from well-defined molecules allows a versatility of approaches and a wide tunability of the expected properties. It comes out that the field of monomeric heptazines is now emerging and possibly heading toward maturity, while diverging from the one of polymeric carbon nitrides. It is likely that this area of research will quickly surge to the forefront of the search for active organic molecules, with special attention to the domains of catalysis and organic-based functional materials and devices.

Crystal structure, phase transition and properties of indium(III) sulfide.

Poly- and single-crystalline samples of In0.67□0.33In2S4 thiospinel were obtained by various powder metallurgical and chemical vapor transport methods, respectively. All synthesized samples contained ß-In0.67□0.33In2S4 modification only, independent of the synthesis procedure. High-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) experiments at 80 K enabled the observation of split tetragonal reflections (completely overlapped at room temperature), which prove the correctness of the crystal structure model accepted for the ß-polymorph. Combining single-crystal XRD, transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction studies, the presence of three twin domains in the as-grown crystals was confirmed. A high temperature PXRD study revealed both abrupt (in full widths at half maxima of main reflections and in unit-cell volume) and gradual (in intensity of satellites and c/a ratio) changes in the vicinity of the α-ß phase transition. These observations, together with a clear endothermic peak in the heat capacity, the magnitude of enthalpy/entropy change and the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity (associated with hysteresis), hinted towards the 1st order type of transition. Three scenarios, based on Rietveld refinement analysis, were considered for the description of the crystal structure evolution from ß- to α-modification, including the (3+3)D-modulated cubic structure at 693 K as an intermediate state during the ß-α transformation. The Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity were not only influenced by phase transition, but also by annealing conditions (S-poor or S-rich atmosphere). Density functional theory calculations predicted semiconducting behavior of In0.67□0.33In2S4, as well as instability of the fictitious InIn2S4 thiospinel.

Convenient two step synthesis of 29Si labelled tetraalkoxysilanes.

29Si enrichment would be advantageous for many NMR studies of the structural properties of sol-gel derived materials. The required starting materials (29Si enriched alkoxysilanes), however, are expensive and difficult to provide. Here we present a scalable, reliable synthesis of 29Si enriched tetraethoxysilane starting from silicon dioxide or elemental silicon with a total yield up to 75%.

CO2 Capture with Silylated Ethanolamines and Piperazines.

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Marcus Herbig from the TU Bergakademie in Freiberg. The cover picture shows the reaction of CO2 with a silyl derivative of the biogenic amine ethanolamine. The role of CO2 as a contributor to climate change makes "carbon capture" a desirable goal. However, in addition to simply capture CO2, aminosilanes form silylcarbamates, which represent starting materials for a variety of crucial chemicals. Thus, the entrapped CO2 represents a useful C1 building block. The ESF-funded Junior Research Group CO2-Sil at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (represented by their Logo and location) pursues that kind of goals. CO2-Sil studies these key reactions of CO2 insertion in depth by syntheses, quantum chemical calculations and calorimetric experiments. CO2 brought to the ground by our method shall be feedstock for various branches in chemistry. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201900269.

CO2 Capture with Silylated Ethanolamines and Piperazines.

Amine treatment is commonly used to capture CO2 from exhaust gases and from ambient air. The Si-N bond in aminosilanes is capable of reacting with CO2 more readily than amines. In the current study we have synthesized trimethylsilylated ethanolamines, diethanolamines and piperazines and investigated their reaction toward CO2. All products were characterized by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR, RAMAN spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry. The product of a twofold CO2-insertion into bis-trimethylsilylated piperazine was analysed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations (DFT) were used to supplement the experimental results. Geometry optimizations and NBO calculations for each starting material were carried out at the B3LYP level with different basis sets. DFT calculations at the B3LYP, WB97XD and M062x level were conducted for geometry optimization and frequency calculations to examine the thermochemical data. The calculations were carried out both for the gas phase and in solvent environment. The calculated reaction enthalpies varied between -37 and -107 kJ mol-1, while experimental values around -100 kJ mol-1 were determined.

Syntheses and Molecular Structures of Liquid Pyrophoric Hydridosilanes.

Trisilane, isotetrasilane, neopentasilane, and cyclohexasilane have been prepared in gram scale. In-situ cryo crystallization of these pyrophoric liquids in sealed capillaries on the diffractometer allows access to the single crystal structures of these compounds. Structural parameters are discussed and compared to gas-phase electron diffraction structures from literature and with the results from quantum chemical calculations. Significantly higher packing indices are found for the silanes compared to the corresponding alkanes. Radiation with ultraviolet light (365 nm) and parallel ESR (EPR) measurement shows that cyclohexasilane is easily split into radicals, which subsequently leads to the formation of branched and chain-like oligomers. The other compounds form no radicals under these conditions. NMR spectra of all four compounds have been recorded.

Ionic Dissociation of SiCl4 : Formation of [SiL6 ]Cl4 with L=Dimethylphosphinic Acid.

Reactions of SiCl4 with R2 PO(OH) (R=Me, Cl) yield compounds with six-fold coordinated silicon atoms. Whereas R=Me afforded the hexacoordinated tetra-cationic silicon complex [Si(Me2 PO(OH))6 ]4+ with chloride counter-ions, R=Cl caused release of HCl with formation of a cyclic dimeric silicon complex [Si(Cl2 PO(OH))(Cl2 PO2 )3 (µ-Cl2 PO2 )]2 with bridging bidentate dichlorophosphates.

Synthesis of Thiocyameluric Acid C6 N7 S3 H3 , Its Reaction to Alkali Metal Thiocyamelurates and Organic Tris(dithio)cyamelurates.

Thiocyameluric acid C6 N7 S3 H3 , the tri-thio analogue of cyameluric acid, is a key compound for the synthesis of new s-heptazine (tri-s-triazine) derivatives. Here, two different routes for the synthesis of thiocyameluric acid and its reaction to tris(aryldithio)- and tris(alkyldithio)cyamelurates C6 N7 (SSR)3 are reported as well as transformation to alkali metal thiocyamelurates M3 [C6 N7 S3 ], M=Na, K. These compounds were characterised by FTIR, Raman, solution 13 C and 1 H NMR spectroscopies, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and elemental analysis. The three (de)protonation steps of thiocyameluric acid were investigated by acid-base titration followed via UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. While it was not possible to determine the three pKa values, it could be postulated that the acid strength probably increases in the following order: cyanuric acid (C3 N3 O3 H3 ) < thiocyanuric acid (C3 N3 S3 H3 ) < cyameluric acid (C6 N7 O3 H3 ) < thiocyameluric acid (C6 N7 S3 H3 ). Single crystals of Na3 [C6 N7 S3 ]⋅10 H2 O and K3 [C6 N7 S3 ]⋅6 H2 O were obtained and the structures analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, quantum chemical calculations were performed to get insights into the electronic structure of thiocyameluric acid and to clarify the thiol-thione tautomerism. Based on a comparison of calculated and measured vibrational spectra it can be concluded that thiocyameluric acid and the di- and mono-protonated anions exist in the thione form.

Synthesis and Properties of Branched Hydrogenated Nonasilanes and Decasilanes.

Branched higher silicon hydrides Si nH2 n+2 with n > 6 were recently found to be excellent precursors for the liquid phase deposition of silicon films. Herein we report the gram-scale synthesis of the novel nona- and decasilanes (H3Si)3Si(SiH2) nSi(SiH3)3 (2: n = 1, 5: n = 2) from (H3Si)3SiLi and Cl(SiPh2) nCl by a combined salt elimination/dephenylation/hydrogenation approach. Structure elucidation of the target molecules was performed by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. 2 and 5 are nonpyrophoric and exhibit a bathochromically shifted UV absorption compared to neopentasilane and the structurally related octasilane (H3Si)3SiSi(SiH3)3. TG-MS analysis elucidated increased decomposition temperatures and decreased ceramic yields for branched hydrosilanes relative to cyclopentasilane. Otherwise, very similar thermal properties were observed for hydrosilane oligomers with linear and branched structures.

Entrapment and growth of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in biocompatible silica hydrogels.

In this work, we aimed at improved viability and growth of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in transparent silica hydrogels based on low-ethanol, low-sodium and low-propylamine synthesis. Investigation into replacement of conventional base KOH by buffers dipotassium phosphate and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane along with increased precursor concentrations yielded an aqueous synthesis route which provided a gelation within 10 min, absorptions below 0.1 and elastic moduli of 0.04-4.23 kPa. The abrasion resistance enhanced by 41% compared to calcium alginate hydrogels and increased to 70-85% residual material on addition of chitosan. Entrapment of microalgae in low-sodium and low-propylamine silica hydrogels maintained the PSII quantum yield above 0.3 and growth rates of 0.23 ± 0.01 d-1, similarly to cells entrapped in calcium alginate. These promising results pave the way for the entrapment of sensitive, photosynthetically active and growing cells for in robust biotechnological applications.

Electrochemically induced phase separation and in situ formation of mesoporous structures in ionic liquid mixtures.

Liquid-liquid phase separation is mainly dependent on temperature and composition. Electric fields have also been shown to influence demixing of binary liquid mixtures. However, a puzzling behavior that remains elusive is the electric field-induced phase separation in ion-containing solvents at low voltages, as predicted by Tsori and Leibler. Here, we report the first experimental study of such a phenomenon in ionic liquid-silane mixtures, which not only results in phase separation at the electrode-electrolyte interface (EEI) but also is accompanied by deposition of porous structures of micrometer size on the electrode. This multiscale phenomenon at the EEI was found to be triggered by an electrochemically induced process. Using several analytical methods, we reveal the involved mechanism in which the formation of new Si-N bonds becomes unstable and eventually decomposes into the formation of silane-rich and silane-poor phases. The deposition of porous structures on the electrode surface is therefore a realization of the silane-rich phase. The finding of an electrochemically induced phase separation not only brings a paradigm shift in understanding the EEI in ionic liquids but also provides alternative strategies toward designing porous surfaces.

Sulfides and Disulfides of s-Triazine: Potential Thermal Thiyl Radical Generators.

A series of aliphatic and aromatic thioethers and dithioethers of s-triazine were synthesised to study their thermal properties, in particular the thermally induced thiyl radical generation ability. Four symmetric s-triazine sulfides of the type (RS)3 C3 N3 , namely 2,4,6-tris(phenylthio)- (1), 2,4,6-tris(para-tolylthio)- (3), 2,4,6-tris(ethylthio)- (5) and 2,4,6-tris(tert-butylthio)-1,3,5-triazine (7), as well as four symmetric s-triazine disulfides of the type (RSS)3 C3 N3 , namely 2,4,6-tris(phenyldithio)- (2), 2,4,6-tris(para-tolyldithio)- (4), 2,4,6-tris(ethyldithio)- (6) and 2,4,6-tris(tert-butyldithio)-1,3,5-triazine (8) were synthesised. All compounds were comprehensively characterised by 1 H and 13 C NMR, infrared and Raman spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 1, 2 and 5 are discussed. The thermal behaviour was studied by thermogravimetric analyses coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS) and quantum chemical calculations. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) flammability tests showed that the disulfides are the most promising radical generators, and are most likely suitable flame retardants for selected polymers.

Arylthio- and Arylseleno-Substituted s-Heptazines.

In contrast to numerous thio- and selenocyanuric acid derivatives, sulfur- or selenium-containing s-heptazines have not been reported so far. Thio- and selenocyameluric acid esters were obtained by substitution reactions of s-heptazine chloride C6 N7 Cl3 with aromatic thiols and selenophenol; the resultant white or yellow solids were stable in air. They were comprehensively characterized by elemental analysis, 1 H, 13 C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The thiocyameluric acid phenyl ester (1, C6 N7 (S(C6 H5 ))3 ) and the corresponding selenium compound (7) formed co-crystals with mesitylene, which were analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both structures showed unusually large channels of ≈12 Šdiameter. The thermal stability was measured by TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), and the flame retardancy of compound 1 was tested in PP by carrying out limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, which gave promising results. Quantum chemical calculations of the title compounds were performed to explain the observed properties and structural characteristics.

HF-(NH4)2S2O8-HCl Mixtures for HNO3- and NOx-free Etching of Diamond Wire- and SiC-Slurry-Sawn Silicon Wafers: Reactivity Studies, Surface Chemistry, and Unexpected Pyramidal Surface Morphologies.

The wet-chemical treatment of silicon wafers is an important production step in photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. Solutions containing hydrofluoric acid, ammonium peroxodisulfate, and hydrochloric acid were investigated as novel acidic, NOx-free etching mixtures for texturization and polishing of monocrystalline silicon wafers. Etching rates as well as generated surface morphologies and properties are discussed in terms of the composition of the etching mixture. The solutions were analyzed with Raman and UV/vis spectroscopy as well as ion chromatography (IC). The silicon surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy (DRIFT), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surprisingly, pyramidal surface structures were found after etching SiC-slurry as well as diamond wire-sawn monocrystalline Si(100) wafers with hydrochloric acid-rich HF-(NH4)2S2O8-HCl mixtures. Acidic etching solutions are generally not known for anisotropic etching. Thus, the HNO3-free mixtures might allow to replace KOH/i-propanol and similar alkaline solutions for texturization of monosilicon wafers at room temperature with less surface contamination. Besides, common HNO3-based etching mixtures may be replaced by the nitrate-free system, leading to significant economic and ecological advantages.

Tp*Cu(I)-CN-SiL2-NC-Cu(I)Tp*--a hexacoordinate Si-complex as connector for redox active metals via π-conjugated ligands.

Hexacoordinate silicon complexes L2SiX2 (L = a 2-benzoylpyrrol-1-yl derivative, X = CN, NCS) were synthesized from L2SiCl2 by ligand exchange with trimethylsilyl reagents Me3SiX. In the presence of [Tp*CuNCMe] and Me3SiCN the silicon complex L2Si(NC(CuTp*))2 was obtained, which contains a linear Cu-CN-Si-NC-Cu unit (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borato).

Novel uranyl(VI) complexes incorporating propylene-bridged salen-type N2O2-ligands: a structural and computational approach.

The synthesis of the tetradentate dianionic ligand, H2L (2,2'-(1E,1'E)-(2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dyl)bis(azanylylidene)bis(methanylylidene)diphenol), from 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-diaminopropane and its reaction with UO2(CH3COO)2·2H2O in a 1:1 molar ratio in methanol to produce the complex [UO2(L)(CH3OH)] are reported. The isolated compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), UV/Vis, FT-IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR, DEPT-135 spectroscopy, TGA and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. As shown by X-ray crystallography, the coordination geometry around the uranium centre is distorted pentagonal bipyramidal with two imine nitrogen atoms, two phenolic oxygen atoms and one methanol O atom occupying equatorial sites, together with two axial oxo groups. To obtain insights into the structure and spectral properties of the studied complex, density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations have been carried out. The computed results show that LUMO of the complex is featured with uranium f orbital character. TD-DFT results indicate that the complex displays two intense bands and one weak charge transfer band. The charge transfer band is primarily due to HOMO → LUMO (53%). Two intense bands have main contributions from HOMO-2 → LUMO (81%) and HOMO-3 → LUMO (77%) transitions, respectively. TD-DFT results indicate that the complex displays the charge transfer band primarily due to HOMO → LUMO (53%) and other two charge transfer bands have main contributions from HOMO-2 → LUMO (81%), HOMO-3 → LUMO (77%) transitions, respectively. NBO analysis reveals that the ground state of the complex is mainly stabilized by n→n* interaction. EDA analysis reveals that the interaction existing between the ligand and other parts of the complex is mainly electrostatic in nature.